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US Lutheran split over gay clergy US Lutheran split over gay clergy
(1 day later)
Traditionalist US Lutherans have warned they might leave to form another denomination after their Church voted to allow gay people to act as pastors.Traditionalist US Lutherans have warned they might leave to form another denomination after their Church voted to allow gay people to act as pastors.
Delegates voted on Friday to allow people in life-long monogamous gay relationships to become ministers.Delegates voted on Friday to allow people in life-long monogamous gay relationships to become ministers.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (Ecla) is one of the largest to open the role to gay men and women. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (Elca) is one of the largest to open the role to gay men and women.
The decision comes a month after the Anglican Church in the US voted to allow the ordination of gay bishops.The decision comes a month after the Anglican Church in the US voted to allow the ordination of gay bishops.
Delegates in tearsDelegates in tears
Two-thirds of delegates voted in favour of the change at the Lutheran Church's national assembly in Minneapolis on Friday.Two-thirds of delegates voted in favour of the change at the Lutheran Church's national assembly in Minneapolis on Friday.
It followed impassioned argument about whether or not the Bible forbids active homosexuality, and left a number of delegates in tears.It followed impassioned argument about whether or not the Bible forbids active homosexuality, and left a number of delegates in tears.
Some traditionalist clergy told the assembly they would leave the Church, and predicted an outflow of Lutherans to join other churches or create their own denomination.Some traditionalist clergy told the assembly they would leave the Church, and predicted an outflow of Lutherans to join other churches or create their own denomination.
The decision by the 4.5-million strong Lutheran Church is significant because of its position roughly in the middle of Protestant theology, and it will add to a sense of momentum towards a more liberal approach to homosexuality among American churches. The decision by the 4.5 million strong Lutheran Church is significant because of its position roughly in the middle of Protestant theology, and it will add to a sense of momentum towards a more liberal approach to homosexuality among American churches.
Other Protestant denominations - including the Presbyterian Church - have recently opted not to take a similar step, but by a narrower margin than before.Other Protestant denominations - including the Presbyterian Church - have recently opted not to take a similar step, but by a narrower margin than before.
Anglicans who have left the Episcopal Church because it ordained a gay bishop have formed a rival traditionalist Church.Anglicans who have left the Episcopal Church because it ordained a gay bishop have formed a rival traditionalist Church.